Energy systems for 400m dash

Pmoax19 · December 9, 2008, 2:16pm

A quick look at some research I’ve seen

Duffield R, Dawson B, Goodman C.
School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia. rduffield@csu.edu.au

As a wide range of values has been reported for the relative energetics of 400-m and 800-m track running events, this study aimed to quantify the respective aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions to these events during track running. Sixteen trained 400-m (11 males, 5 females) and 11 trained 800-m (9 males, 2 females) athletes participated in this study. The participants performed (on separate days) a laboratory graded exercsie test and multiple race time-trials. The relative energy system contribution was calculated by multiple methods based upon measures of race VO2, accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD), blood lactate and estimated phosphocreatine degradation (lactate/PCr). The aerobic/anaerobic energy system contribution (AOD method) to the 400-m event was calculated as 41/59% (male) and 45/55% (female). For the 800-m event, an increased aerobic involvement was noted with a 60/40% (male) and 70/30% (female) respective contribution. Significant (P < 0.05) negative correlations were noted between race performance and anaerobic energy system involvement (lactate/PCr) for the male 800-m and female 400-m events (r = - 0.77 and - 0.87 respectively). These track running data compare well with previous estimates of the relative energy system contributions to the 400-m and 800-m events. Additionally, the relative importance and speed of interaction of the respective metabolic pathways has implications to training for these events.

PMID: 15966348 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

According to Duffield et al

Weyland et al(1993) 66 to 34 Aerobic to Anerobic to Van Ingen Schenau et al (1991) 17 to 83 Aerobic to Anaerobic.

That data shows that the 400 and 800 only have a 1% difference in energy system contribution. That is obviously inaccurate or else the 800m world record would be around 1:30